Paterson Aide Quits in Furor Over His Taxes (had "late-filing syndrome")

New York Times ^ | October 24, 2008 | Nicholas Confessore and Danny Hakim

[reaganaut1]

An article mentioning the "late-filing syndrome" excuse is at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/nyregion/23obyrne.html . It's especially hypocritical for an official in such a high-tax state as New York to skip paying taxes for several years.

[taxesareforever]

I wonder how many of us peons could get away with such an excuse for not paying taxes. Tax paying syndrome. Nah, I don’t wonder. I know.

[3AngelaD]

Just like Washington, D.C., where we have lots of representation without taxation.

[NonValueAdded]

one person who knows both men said, simply, “Charles was his priest.”

Wow, that will be a mandatory requirement for all aides in the future. "I'm sorry but my deputy cannot testify against me because, ah, he was my priest. Yeah, that's the ticket, my priest."

[woofie]

I am going to be depressed for the next 20 years or so.

[Captain Peter Blood]

It’s interesting that this hated taxes so much, you would figure he would be a Conservative Republican.

[Krankor]

His hate of taxes only applied to paying, not imposing them.

[xJones]

But statements from Mr. O’Byrne’s lawyer that his tax delinquency was close to $300,000 and that he may have suffered from a syndrome that causes people to not file their taxes worked to intensify the furor, which seemed likely to disrupt Mr. Paterson’s focus on the legislative elections and the budget talks ahead.

It that what it is? I'm always depressed around every April 15th, but I didn't know it was a syndrome. And I've been paying my taxes which makes me even more depressed...

[Captain Peter Blood]

Touche!!!!!!!!!!!

[pnh102]

Disgusting. If it was any of us we’d be frogmarched to prison and publicly humiliated by the IRS. Why are these crooks exempt from the same laws that apply to the rest of us?

[B4Ranch]

Your heirs will have to pay the late fees and unpaid taxes.

[Chode]

and the RATS, take another one in the.................................HA ha!!!

[woofie]

not if I spend up all the money first

[Bean Counter]

Depression made him do it??

It’s depressing that he got away with this for so long. Does no-one vet their own staff any more?? It’s hard to believe that nobody knew about this..

[gwilhelm56]

From this NY’er, that B****** better go to JAIL! I, who cannot AFFORD NY’s Taxes would be in jail faster than you could say “GUILTY”

Mr. Governor ... LOCK that SOB UP for a LONG TIME!!

[B4Ranch]

In the world that’s coming, don’t count on it! They could be held liable for all the wealth that you didn’t spread around.

[sportutegrl]

I’m just curious, how long is Patterson going to be an unelected govenor? After Spitzer stepped down and was replaced, does that mean the replacement can serve out the whole rest of the term or when do the people get a say in who their governor will be?

[NYFriend]

Whole remaining terms, a little over three years from when he took office earlier this year. He stands for election again in 2010. The plan in NY is for all the Statewide officers being elected at the same time. Here’s the thing, who elects the Lt. Gov, or the VP of the US for that matter? No one. You elect the Governor, and if you can trust him to pick at Lt. Gov., you can’t trust him to pich secretaries or commissioners, or judges, or anything else.

[Ann Archy]

What a FRAUD....Fraud Priest...Fraud Tax Payer....FRAUD CATHOLIC.

[Oldexpat]

A friend of ours..who is an IRS agent..confirmed that politicians get special treatment by the IRS. They forgive a lot because they don’t want more restrictions placed on them in their collection efforts. So some pigs are more equal than others.